Musical Rapport with Maestro Leonard Slatkin

The concerts of the Franz Schubert Filharmonia with Leonard Slatkin left a clear and shared impression of having experienced evenings shaped by a deep rapport between conductor and orchestra. From the opening bars of Barber’s Adagio for Strings, the sound found a poised balance, tracing a journey from introspection towards a serene light that Slatkin understands as a prayer.

In Haydn, this connection translated into clarity and a sense of humour. The ‘Surprise’ Symphony unfolded naturally, with clean phrasing and a flexible orchestra, attentive to every gesture and capable of responding with precision and lightness.

In Schubert’s ‘Great’ Symphony, the musical discourse expanded with breadth and coherence. Slatkin, with his profound understanding of the work, conveyed a clear reading of the score that the musicians embraced with conviction. The cohesion between sections, with solid strings and characterful woodwinds and brass, guided the path towards a vibrant and energetic finale.

It was also a special evening for another reason: Leonard Slatkin’s return to the Palau 40 years later. Making this possible as an orchestra is, for us, a genuine source of pride.

Photos by Martí E. Berenguer